The Searchers
1956
Ethan: Our turnin' back don't mean nothin', not in the long run. She's alive, she's safe for a while. They'll keep her and raise her as one of their own til, until she's of an age to... Injun will chase a thing till he thinks he's chased it enough. Then he quits. Same way when he runs. Seems like he never learns there's such a thing as a critter that'll just keep comin' on. So we'll find 'em in the end, I promise you. We'll find 'em. Just as sure as a turnin' of the earth.
Reverend Clayton: Ethan, I gotta ask you and Martin to take a ride to State Capital. Ethan: Is this an invite to a necktie party, Reverend?
Ethan: Well Reverend, looks like you've got yourself surrounded. Reverend Clayton: Yeah and I figure on getting myself unsurrounded.
Reverend Clayton: I say we do it my way. That's an order! Ethan: Yessir. But if you're wrong don't ever give me another.
Reverend Clayton: You wanna quit Ethan? Ethan: That'll be the day.
Martin: I hope you die! Ethan: That'll be the day.
Ethan: Well Reverend, that tears it! From now on, you stay out of this. All of ya. I don't want you with me. I don't need ya for what I got to do.
Ethan: What you saw wasn't Lucy... What you saw was a buck wearin' Lucy's dress. I found Lucy back in the canyon. Wrapped her in my coat, buried her with my own hands, I thought it best to keep it from ya. Brad: Did they... ? Was she... ? Ethan: What do you want me to do? Draw you a picture? Spell it out? Don't ever ask me! Long as you live, don't ever ask me more.
Mrs Jorgensen: It just so happens we be Texicans. Texican is nothin' but a human man way out on a limb, this year and next. Maybe for a hundred more. But I don't think it'll be forever. Some day, this country's gonna be a fine good place to be. Maybe it needs our bones in the ground before that time can come.
Reverend Clayton: Well, the prodigal brother. Ain't seen you since the surrender. Come to think of it, I didn't see you at the surrender. Ethan Edwards: I don't believe in surrenders.
Ethan Edwards: I figure a mans only good for one oath at a time, and I took my oath to the Confederate States of America.
(Reverend Clayton delivers a prayer at the Edwards' funeral for Aaron, Martha, and Ben) Ethan Edwards: Put an end to it! There's no more time for praying! AMEN!
Brad: There's only one way you can stop me from looking for Lucy, mister, and that's kill me! Ethan Edwards: Alright, but I'm giving the orders, hear. I'm giving the orders or we're splitting up right here and now! Martin: Well sure Ethan. The only real reason were here ain't it - is to find Debbie and Lucy? Ethan Edwards: If they're still alive.
(Debbie, Ethan's captive niece, shows Ethan and Martin a lance of human scalps in Chief Scar's tent) Ethan Edwards: We've seen scalps before. (Chief Scar shows Ethan and Marty the gold locket that Ethan gave Debbie) Chief Scar: This before? Ethan Edwards: I didn't come here to admire his collection. Tell him we'll pitch camp on the other side of the creek. Talk tomorrow.
(Brad Jorgenson takes a small boulder and attempts to crush the skull of a dead Comanche warrior) Reverend Clayton: Jorgenson! Ethan Edwards: Why don't you finish the job? (Ethan shoots out the eyes of the Comanche warrior) Reverend Clayton: What good did that do ya? Ethan Edwards: By what you preach... none. But, what that Comanch believes - ain't got no eyes... can't enter the spirit land... has to wander forever between the winds. You get it Reverend. Come on blanket-head! (Ethan is referring to Martin Pawley.)
(Ethan is tucking Martin in) Martin: Ethan, are you all right? Ethan: Well I'm just saying goodnight to you. Martin: Well goodnight!
(after Ethan Edwards has just shot out the eyes of a dead Comanche, Reverend Clayton questions his motive) Reverend Clayton: What good did that do ya? Ethan Edwards: By what you preach, none. But what that Comanche believes, ain't got no eyes, he can't enter the spirit-land. Has to wander forever between the winds.
(a young cavalry lieutenant has been assigned to accompany the Rangers) Captain Sam Clayton: You can go with us, but I'm in charge. You do what I tell you; when I tell you! I'm the hardcase you're up against out there; not them childish savages! 2nd Lt Greenhill: Yes, sir! (Salutes Clayton with his sabre) Captain Sam Clayton: Boy! You watch that knife!
Martin: You know, Laurie, I was just thinking that maybe it's about time you and me started going steady, huh? Laurie Jorgensen: Why Martin Pawley, you and me been going steady since we was three years old! Martin: We have? Laurie Jorgensen: 'Bout time you found out about it.
(Laurie is reading a letter from Martin concerning his Indian wife) Laurie Jorgensen: "She wasn't nearly as old as you are." HOW OLD DOES HE THINK I AM?
Reverend Clayton: Mount! M-O-N-T-E! Mount!
2nd Lt Greenhill: Can't I stay? Please? Reverend Clayton: Oh, all right. But you watch me boy! I'm the hardcase you're up against out here, not them childish savages! And if you don't hear my first holler, you better read my mind 'cause I don't aim to raise no two hollers on any subject at hand! 2nd Lt Greenhill: (salutes with his sabre and nearly decapatates the Reverend) Yes sir! Reverend Clayton: Boy, watch that knife!
Mose Harper: (preparing for an Indian attack) That which we are about to receive, we thank thee, O Lord.
Martin: (speaking to Debbie for the first time in five years) Debbie... Debbie, Debbie, don't you remember? I'm Martin, I'm Martin, your brother, remember? Debbie, remember back. (pause) Do you remember how I used to let you ride my horse? And tell you stories? (desperate) Oh don't you remember me, Debbie? Debbie Edwards: (sad) I remember, from always. At first I prayed to you to come and get me, take me home. You didn't come. Martin: But I've come now, Debbie. Debbie Edwards: These are my people... Go. Go, Martin, please!
Laurie Jorgensen: (Martin is preparing to join a raid against the Indians and rescue Debbie) You're not goin', not this time. Martin: Are you crazy? Laurie Jorgensen: It's too late. She's a woman grown now. Martin: But I gotta go, Laurie, I gotta fetch her home. Laurie Jorgensen: Fetch what home? The leavings a Comanche buck sold time and again to the highest bidder, with savage brats of her own? Martin: (upset) Laurie, shut your mouth. Laurie Jorgensen: Do you know what Ethan will do if he has a chance? He'll put a bullet in her brain. (pause) I tell you, Martha would want him to. Martin: Only if I'm dead.
Ethan: Let's go home, Debbie.